"A Supramolecular Approach to Structure and Reactivity of Organic Molecules"

本项目的目标是探索超分子化学，特别强调超分子光化学。这一探索的一个方面涉及到分子被包含在沸石内部并与沸石内部表面相互作用时性质的变化。将这一概念扩展到自由基聚合领域，借鉴了包含在聚合容器内的链端自由基的类比。电子自旋共振和其他光谱技术将用于表征这些自由基并测量它们对单体的加成速率常数。这些研究将提供有关关键聚合物链传播步骤的知识，这对自由基聚合领域的关键问题具有重要意义。星爆树状大分子将被用作DNA和脂质体超分子容器内的探针，从而深入了解一些树状大分子协助DNA转染到细胞中的能力。有了这个奖项，有机和大分子化学项目继续支持哥伦比亚大学Nicholas J. Turro教授的研究和教育活动。Turro教授的研究领域是超分子化学，其中小分子包含在大分子中或与大分子相互作用，从而改变其性质。这些原理可能在聚合物化学和DNA转染技术领域产生重要的实际影响。此外，人们能够获得关于分子作为离散的个体实体的特性的知识。这些研究为化学研究生和本科生以及博士后提供了重要的多学科教育和培训机会。

This project has as its objectives the exploration of supramolecular chemistry with special emphasis on supramolecular photochemistry. One facet of this exploration involves the changes in properties of molecules when they are contained within -- and interact with the interior surface of -- zeolites. An extension of this concept to the area of radical polymerization draws upon the analogy of the chain-end radical being contained within a polymeric vessel. Electron spin resonance and other spectroscopic techniques will be employed to charactersize these radicals and to measure their rate constants of addition to monomers. These investigations will provide knowledge concerning the crucial polymer chain propagating steps, which are of fundamental importance to critical issues in the field of free radical polymerization. Starburst dendrimers will be employed as probes inside DNA and liposome supramolecular containers, giving insight on the ability of some dendrimers to assist in the transfection of DNA into cells.With this Award, the Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry Program continues its support of the research and educational activities of Professor Nicholas J. Turro of Columbia University. Professor Turro's research is in the area of suprameolecular chemistry, wherein smaller molecules are contained within or otherwise interact with larger molecules with attendant alterations in their properties. These principles are likely to have important practical consequenses in the areas of polymer chemistry as well as DNA transfection technologies. In addition, one is able to gain knowledge about the properties of molecules as discrete, individual entities. These studies provide important multidisciplinary educational and training opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students of chemistry as well as for postdoctoral associates.